Former Internationals Pass Away

25 June 2003 10:44

By

Two Wales Rugby Internationals have died.

The number of Wales international players still living have fallen by two this month with the passing of Ivor Bennett and John Hurrell.
Bennett, who won his only cap against Ireland at Dublin in 1937, was the oldest Welsh international forward and died on the day of his 90th birthday. The former Tondu, Bridgend, Aberavon and Glamorgan Police player had to wait 40 years to receive his cap as he had turned to Rugby League in August 1937.
His death at Neath Hospital on June 16 leaves only seven players alive who played for Wales before World War Two, headed by 96-year-old Harry Bowcott. He played in the game that had been postponed for three weeks because of snow and Wales, led by Wilf Wooller, slipped to a 5-3 defeat.
He served with the 48th Anti-Aircraft Battery in Malta in the 1940's and did not return home until VE Day in 1945.
Born in Aberkenfig on June 16, 1913, he attended the local St Robert's Church School before becoming a collier worker at the nearby Aberbaiden Colliery at 14 and later went on to serve in the Glamorgan Police Force.
Four months after winning his Welsh cap Bennett headed north to Warrington and picked up Â£300 for the transfer, scoring a try on his debut for the Wires on August 27, 1938.
He then resumed his playing career with the Bridgend Rugby League side at the council-owned Brewery Field and in later years became steward of the Ogmore Vale Non-Political club. Both his son-in-law, Malcolm Thomas, and Malcolm's son, Mark, who both played the 13-a-side code at Warrington and Mark played in the 1990 RL Cup final.
Though predeceased by his wife 21 years ago, Bennett leaves a son (Haydn) and two daughters (Gaynor and Fay).

Centre Richard John (Jack) Hurrell won his only cap in against France in Paris in 1959, having first played 201 games and scored 41 tries for Cross Keys, who he captained from fly-half in 1954/55 to 1956/57.
Born in Cwmcarn on August 17, 1933, Hurrell was capped first by Wales Youth at Cork in 1951, when they defeated Munster (Ireland) Youth by 15-3.
He played for Pontypool and Cross Keys combined team against Wilson Whineray's 1953-54 All Blacks and later transferred to Newport, for whom he played 89 times, scoring 14 tries and was in the Black and Ambers side that defeated Australia by 11-0 in 1957.
An electrician, Hurrell played at centre with Malcolm Price (Pontypool) in the 11-3 loss to France at Stade Colombes, Paris in 1959, when Clem Thomas (Swansea) was the Welsh captain.
He finished his career in 1963 with Tredegar and then moved to the Birmingham area, though always attending Cross Keys reunions. However, he died at the age of 69, when collapsed at the wheel of his car near his Solihull home.

Wales reached their first semi-final since 2013 in the opening round of this season's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai. WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie recaps on what proved to be an eventful tournament

Wales and Ospreys back row James King, who came through the North Wales age grade system, nominated North Wales Regional Community Rugby Manager Marc Roberts, in the WRU's 'Diolch' initiative where squad players thanked those who played a part in their rise to the top.

Beating Merthyr has boosted Carmarthen Quins hopes of reaching a top eight spot in the Principality Premiership. Quins captain Haydn Pugh is delighted with his team's progress and is determined that everyone from the Under 6s through to the senior team, enjoys the ride.

When the Wales squad were asked to nominate individuals who played a big part in their early playing days, Wales and Dragons full back and wing Hallam Amos thought of his former Monmouth School rugby coach John Bevan.

Sam Cross and Luke Treharne have been named as co-captains of the Wales Sevens side as head coach Gareth Williams names his 12-man squad to play in the first leg of the HSBC World Series in Dubai next weekend.

Bedwas head coach Steve Law and players Nicky Griffiths and Alun Rees extol the virtues of the close knit club as they prepare to host third place RGC 1404 - who are one place head of them on the Principality Premiership points table - on Saturday.

Many of the Wales squad have said Diolch (thank you) to someone who played an important part in their early playing days by nominating them to be invited to the Wales v South Africa match. One person, Gowerton Comprehensive geography teacher Mr Dean Mason was nominated by two of his former pupils, Dan Biggar and Sam Davies.

The second WRU disability rugby pilot has been delivered, this time in Caerphilly schools, culminating in a festival at the Caerphilly Centre of Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach tomorrow. Plans are in place to set up a Disability Rugby Club in Newbridge to provide long-term playing opportunities.

WRU TV: Hear from inside the Wales camp as Neil Jenkins discusses this weekend's clash with South Africa and how the squad are looking to put in a strong performance to round of the 2016 Under Armour Series